EU Reference Centres for Animal Welfare DG SANTE meeting of the Directors of EU Reference Laboratories in the field of animal health and food and feed safety Denis SIMONIN Head of sector Animal welfare unit G2, DG SANTE European Commission 1 December 2017

EU Reference Centres for animal welfare LEGAL BASIS The Official Controls Regulation (OCR) Articles 95 & 96 + Recital 73 Animal Welfare Reference Centres They will assist EU countries in their official controls by carrying out scientific and technical studies, conducting training courses and disseminating research findings and information on technical innovations. The EU References Centres will also provide the scientific and technical expertise on methods to assess and improve the welfare of animals. Competences: Strengthening the multi-disciplinary approach (by promoting studies on animal health, genetics, physiology, behaviour, and animal-human interaction) Which animals? Livestock Developing indicators & application methods pan-european scientific dissemination Training to Commission & Competent Authorities Timing: To be designated by 29 April 2018 (by implementing act)

EU Reference Centres for animal welfare Designation Recital 73: For the performance of official controls in the field of animal welfare, the competent authorities should have access to consistent technical data, research findings, new techniques and expertise necessary for the correct application of Union legislation applicable in the area. For that purpose, the Commission should be able to designate EU Reference Centres for animal welfare.

EU Reference Centres for animal welfare Designation (2) Art. 95: "The Commission shall, by means of implementing acts, designate European Union reference centres for animal welfare that shall support the activities of the Commission and of the Member States" According to the 2nd paragraph of art. 95, the designations shall follow a public selection process and be limited in time or reviewed regularly.

EU Reference Centres for animal welfare Art. 95: Obligations of the Centres Act impartially Possess a high level of scientific and technical expertise Have suitably qualified staff Possess, or have access to, the infrastructure, the equipment and products necessary to carry out the tasks

EU Reference Centres for animal welfare Art. 96: Responsibilities and tasks Scientific & technical expertise Develop animal welfare indicators Methods of assessment and improvement Scientific and technical studies Training Member States + non-EU Countries Dissemination of research findings and technical innovations MANDATE AND TASKS In accordance with the Official Controls Regulation, the reference centres will support the activities of the Commission and of the Member States in relation to the application of the rules laying down welfare requirements for animals. All tasks to be executed by the centres are foreseen to increase the performance of official controls in the field of animal welfare and so to help the enforcement of the current legislation. Animal Welfare Reference Centre Competences: Strenghtening the multi-disciplinary approach (by promoting studies on animal health, genetics, physiology, behaviour, and animal-human interaction) Which animals? Livestock + animals for commercial and scientific purpose Developing indicators & application methods pan-european scientific dissemination, Training to Commission & competent Authorities OBLIGATIONS OF THE COMMISSION Art. 99 OCR: The Commission shall publish and update, whenever necessary, the list of European Union reference centres for animal welfare provided for in Article 95. The Commission is empowered to adopt delegated acts to supplement OCR concerning the establishment of requirements, responsibilities and tasks for the EU reference centres for animal welfare. Such delegated acts shall be limited to situations of new or emerging risks , new or emerging animal diseases or where new legal requirements so warrant. EU reference centres shall be subject to Commission controls to verify compliance with the requirements of art. 93, 94, 95 and 97. If these controls show NON-COMPLIANCE with the requirements laid down in art. 93, 94, 95 and 97, the Commission shall, after having received the comments of the EU reference centre: 1) by menans of an implementing act, withdraw the designation of that centre or 2) take any other appropriate measure.

Livestock + Animals for commercial and scientific purpose Which animals? Livestock + Animals for commercial and scientific purpose

1st EU Reference Centre for animal welfare Support Member States and the Commission in the area of animal welfare, in line with art. 96 OCR Dedicated to the welfare of pigs MILESTONE FOR ANIMAL WELFARE IN EU It is considered as a milestone in the field of animal welfare in the European Union The centre will support horizontal activities in the area of animal welfare with a particular focus on official controls carried put to enforce requirements for the welfare of pigs. Reference to the Council Directive 2008/120/EC which lays down minimum standards for the protection of pigs.

Specific tasks of the Centre Risk-based approach for official controls' organisation and performance in animal welfare Data on welfare of pigs Indicators to verify compliance with legal requirements Consultation of relevant stakeholders The specific tasks of the Centre, defined in its annual (or multi-annual) work program, may include for example: - development of risk-based approach for official controls' organisation and performance in the area of animal welfare; - development and collection, from different points along the food chain, of comparable data on the welfare of animals with a particular focus on pigs aiming to provide the Commission with an overview of the situation in the pig sector; - development of measurable criteria and specific indicators to verify compliance with the animal welfare legal requirements, with a particular focus on those included in Directives 98/58/EC6 and 2008/120/EC7 and bearing in mind the parameters outlined in Commission Recommendation (EU) 2016/3368 to be considered when assessing a pig farm for tail biting risk; - consultation of relevant stakeholders to ensure that controls are fit for purpose. The Centre will operate in close coordination with the Commission and provide, at the request of the Commission, its technical expertise.

Why on pigs? One of the main priorities of the Commission Many efforts made by the Commission to enforce Directive 2008/120/EC Recommendation (EU) 2016/336 Staff working document Educational materials etc. Competent authorities need long term support in this field

Progressively assess real needs Why only one centre? Step by step approach Limited resources Pilot Progressively assess real needs Since the role of EU reference centres on animal welfare is quite different from the EU reference laboratories that esist in other areas, it is necessary to build on a step by step approach and learn from the experience rather than directly setting up a complex network of centres. An important factor to be taken into consideration is the available budget Starting with only one reference centre will allow us to develop activities on a step by step basis adjusting over the years to the evolving needs It will also permit to progressively assess the real needs at EU level, while taking into account the resources already dedicated to this topic by some Member States.

Timing Designation: by 29 April 2018 Call for selection launched in October Applications, only submitted by national competent authorities , under evaluation Designation by Commission Implementing Act (foreseen to be adopted in the 2nd Q 2018) Designated for at least 5 years According to art. 167 of OCR, the Centre has to be designated within one year from the entry into force of the Regulation.

Other EC activities in the field of Animal Welfare Created in 2017 as a stakeholder's dialogue 75 members from Member States, International organisations, industry, NGOs, independent experts Promote enforcement through sharing of best practices Increase voluntary commitments EU PLATFORM ON ANIMAL WELFARE

Other EC activities in the field of Animal Welfare (2) EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS ON REDUCING THE NEED FOR TAIL DOCKING

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